Yeah, I live with the scratch on my tank for just that reason. I figure it matches the scar from my titanium collar bone. War horses have scars right?

 

I'd say it's one of those deciscions that can wait a while... Like until you find the right used tank, with the minute imperfections you can live with... I doubt you're going to sell the bike the next month?

 

Paintless dent removal works great on tanks

 

Sure does, as long as the guy doing it does not tweak the fuel neck ....Which ive seen often happen as then are working the dent out.

The issue with my tank is not just the dent (easily removed by a good PDR guy) But I had the tank painted by a "pro" that should not be allowed finger paint, never mind automotive stuff... Bottom line,,, my tank looks like crap, several runs, the new Honda decals i supplied were not laid down flat, clear coat has bubbles at the decal.. I need a whole new paint job.

 

Fairing stay and left fairing came in.. right fairing went on back order the day I ordered it..
BUT an interesting thing.. the parts manager did some checking... more right side fairings are set for "release" on the 29th of June.

In other words there are still factory parts available at the Honda warehouse distributor level. It may take a few days to get an order processed, sent through mid level distro points to get parts moved from the main storage locations.. but the OEM parts are still out there.

Contrary to what some on this forum have been told at the local dealer level.

With my forks off to Jamieat Daugherty Motorsports for a build, Im in no hurry for the fairing today....I'll get worked up again next week with anticipation.

 

Eric, whataya havin done to the forks?

 

Everything

 

I wanted to try Jamie's in house valve and his preferred shim set up.

New springs installed, parts cleaned, polished, new seals (though the right side is only a few hours old) and some fresh oil.

Suspension is a lot of trial and error coupled with lots of experience on a specific bike topped with a good overall understanding of suspension theory for the type of fork or shock being worked on (cause and effect)

I can do that on a DRZ400 because I have all the required knowledge.
On any other bike, I can do the physical work as I have the tools, equipment and general knowledge.. but the specifics of setup, I know to leave to others.. I can repair, install others set up with ease though...

 

Ok so Jamie's set instead of say emulators or intiminators right? I would be interested in the same thing, as I have been putting it off for too long, and have had only good experiences with Jamie.

You will have to post up what was changed and how it feels. You are starting with stock stuff?

 

I had two sets of forks, one with Race Tech internals and this stock set that will be set up by Jamie.

I did the Race Tech stuff at first, because I get it at dealer cost..and had no down time (just a few hours to take apart, clean and install)

The back to back compare will be by memory only as I sold the Race Tech set to pay for the stock ones (and what I paid Jamie). Been running these a few months now....yuck,, now I remember why I went with new springs and the Race Tech set up...

So yes I'll write a post about how they feel, ride, run, bounce, soak up ripples and bumps, square edge stuff and g outs. And from memory say how they compare to the others.

 

Got bored today.. no forks yet.... so no real reason to work on the bike... but had some spare time and it's too hot to do yard work...



Faring dissection, some cleaning ..... and now time to put it back together.

 

Damn, nice shop!

 

Hot damn,,,, Jamie just sent me an email.... forks are already on the way.

Really looking forward to trying out his set up..

The rear shock was great, the shifter a piece of art.. my expectations are the spring rate selected, his custom valves and shim stack, the internal polishing, and SKF seals provided plus his other personal knowledge and skills poured into these forks will be just as good....

 

So Erik, how many bikes fell over ? I see two sets of fairings in your shop

 

Jack, just the one thankfully.

Nothing is going easy with this repair of course.

From some communication issues to a screw ferrell pulling out of the fairing center section.

Seem to be delay after delay.

But soon enough it'll be back on the road.

 

I don't remember ever entering a project with this bike that has been easy.
I have about three projects for it in the next few weeks I'm looking forward
to. Front end swap, redoing carbs, and other bells and whistles. I can guarantee you, what should be a more or less 7 to 10 day project
will turn into a few months ordeal. The funny part of all this is many times,
I'm my own worst enemy in my own projects.
I feel you. Hope it works out quick for you.

 

Anything worth doing is worth screwing up once or twice before finally getting it right.

 

Just had a great conversation with Jamie..... anyone looking for suspension work they don't want to do themselves, or just looking to try another suspension tuners build..

You can not go wrong with Daugherty Motorsports - Motorcycle Suspension Performance and Modification

 

Erik! Sorry about your bad luck. I was always envious of how perfect your tank was compared to mine. I collected a few in pursuit of the perfect replacement. I think I now own three or four - all with minor issues. I'm in the middle of relocating the operation to Liberty Hill so I'm really up to my ***. Give me a call some time. The alarm clock still set for September? Send my best to Kaye. Regards

 

Dayum... A nuhawk sighting... Rare these days...

 

No doubt I have been away too long but tearing down a 60K square foot facility and moving it 30 miles is no small undertaking after twenty-five years of collecting stuff. We are still assembling the "moving sale from hell" and designing the new shop is not just as easy as a steel building. The enclosed part of the new shop is going to be in the vacinity of 1800 square feet with a large covered area attached - all on a concrete pad. The new owners have no interest in the 6k foot greenhouse that I had there so that will be partially reassemble and attached to the other structure - although I will probably use about 1000 square feet and sell the rest of the frame work. The entire facility will be about 1/3 to 1/2 acre when it's all built out. The entrance gate is going to be 16' wide on suspended rollers and will open to the industrial park behind the property. From the front it will look like a quiet little home in the country but from the back it will be all toyland. I have the road cut so that I can drive in the front and leave from the back. I've had a little time lately because I contracted a gut bug late last week and can't get too far from the loo.

 

1 month to the day...... Shes back






Fresh tires
New hydraulic front brake switch
New Sergeant Seat
Fairings L&R
Fairing Stay
Repaired left rear foot peg/Ex mount
Fresh Graphics on the seat cowl

 

Eric, whats a hydraulic front brake switch?

Have you ridden the new suspension yet? Thats the major mod right?

 

The switch is a banjo bolt replacement.. I use it instead of the OEM lever actuated micro switch..Which I do not have the clearance for due to bar/ control set up.

Only 40 or so easy miles on new tires.

Another few miles and then i can push it a bit and see where I'm at. Jamie made some starting clicker and sag setting suggestions.